Fire-protection signal system.



J. G. .NOLEN & J. E. SHEPHERD. FIRE PROTECTION SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 25, 1904. 939,293 Patented Nov. 9, 1909. 3SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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FIRE PROTECTION SIGNAL SYSTEM APPLICATION FILED APR. 26, 1904.

Patented Nov. 9, 1909.

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RSI. msmucro ANDRKW. a, cmum JAMES G. NOLEN AND JOHN E. SEEPEIERD, OFCHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FIRE-PROTECTIUN SIGNAL SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 25, 1904.

Patented Nov. 9, 1909.

Serial No. 204,779.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, James G. NoLnN and JOHN E. SHEPHERD, of Chicago, inthe county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in F ire-Protection Signal Systems; and we herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact descriptionthereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which formpart of: this specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in fire protection signal systemsand contemplates the combination of an electric signaling system with afire extinguisher system in such manner that upon the occurrence of anyordinary trouble in the fire extinguisher system (or in the alarm systemitself) an alarm or signal will be transmitted to a central station tonotify those interested in the protection of the risk of the existenceof abnormal or dangerous conditions therein.

In the drawings; Figure 1 is a diagrainmatic view illustratinggraphically characteristic proportions of a fire extinguisher system,equipped with a signal system enibodying our invention. Fig. 2 is asimplified view of the circuits of our system, as applied in Fig. 1.Fig. 3 is a detail or a floatvalve forming part of the tire extinguishersystem showing its association with an alarm box of the alarm. system.Fig. l: is a sectional detail of a variable-pressure check-valve in theextinguisher system. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a master box in the alarmsystem. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of portions of said box. Fig. 7 is adetail of the signal transmitting wheels and pens of the said masterbox. Fig. 8 is a detail of the wheel upon the bottom of the box withwhich the detent devices are associated. Fig. 9 is a detail of a form ofthermostat adapted for use in our system.

Throughout the drawings like characters of reference refer always tolike parts.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 1, A indicates a tank or reservoirupon the top of the building, such as is usually supplied with waterfrom the city mains. (4 indicates a float movable up and down with therise and fall of the water in the tank, and associated in any desiredmanner with a normally-set signal-box of the alarm system, so that uponthe undue fallot the water in the tank the box 1? is tripped. aindicates a thermometer having its bulb immersed in the water in thetank A, and having electrical contact points in the path of travel ofthe mercury of the thermometer arranged in two pairs, one pair beingarranged so that contact is broken therebetween when the mercuryindicates a tem ierature lower than is desirable in the water tank."$.,say 40 F and the upper pair being arranged to be closed when themercury indicates an unduly high temperature,say 180 F. B 'indicates apressure tank containing water under air pressure, and connected withthe water supply tank A in the usual manner. 7) indicates a pressuregage associated with the pressure tank B having a hand 5 arranged tosweep over a segment 5 in electrical con tact therewith. The segment Z1is of a length corresponding with an indicated normal range of pressurein the tank B; so that as long as pressure is normal in the tank B thehand 6 is in contact with the segment b but when the pressure fallsbelow its normal range contact between said parts is broken. C indicatesa riser of the fire extinguisher system connected with the pressure tank13 in the usual manner. The riser C is provided with the usual variablepressure valve D one form whereof is shown in Fig. at, the constructionof wnich is well understood and needs no detail description herein, saidvalve being provided with an escape pipe (,Z normally closed by thevalve and communicating with a vertically disposed pipe 0 the upper endof which communicates with a float valve structure E. e indicates avalve casing, provided at its upper end with a relief outlet 6 having atits inner surface a valve seat 6 with which coacts a valve member 6provided with a cup-shaped skirt 6'' arranged to overlie a float ball 0arranged vithin the casing c. This construction is such that airescaping throu h the pipe e can find its way up around the float 0without elevating the latter, and may escape through the valve seat cand outlet c but that water flowing into the casing 6 through the pipe 6lifts the float c and raises the valve 0 to closed position upon itsseat 0. Mounted upon the top of the valve casing c is an alarm box 19arranged to be tripped or conditioned for operation when the valvemember 6 is raised as aforesaid. We have shown a simple connection foreffecting such operative association of the box and valve. erepresenting a stem rigidly connected with the valve member 0* andprojecting upward to the top of the casing, and its end pivotallyconnected to one extremity of a bell crank arm e at the oppositeextremity of which is a hook 0 adapted to engage the end of a handle 19of the signal box 19 to hold the same in elevated or set position. Itwill be obvious that as the valve is raised the bell crank is turnedupon its pivot to release the handle 19 which under the impulse of thespring of the box descends. F indicates a waste valve of any well knownconstruction adapted to permit the escape of water from the pipe 6 afterthe pressure in the pipe is cut off by the restoration of the valve D tonormal or closed position. G indicates a gate Valve of well knownconstruction, arranged as usual in the riser C. H is a pressure gageassociated with the riser C to show the pressure therein above thevariable pressure valve D, said gage being provided with a hand itadapted to sweep over a segment h in electrical contact therewith, saidseg ment representing the normal variation of pressure in the riser.

e will now describe the mechanical construction of a master box orsignaling apparatus, such as we employ in the practice of our invention,and herein illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8.

I indicates the box as a whole; i the electro-magnet forming part of theactuating device for the contact controlling mechanism; z" the magnetarmature, and 2' indicates generally a spring motor or clock workmechanism carrying and controlling the electrical contact members orsignaling devices proper. The motor and contact de vices we will, forbrevity, call the signal transmitting instrument, and the magnet andarmature we will refer to as its actuating devices. The clock work frameor motor includes a pinion 2' mounted on the under face of the motor andhaving formed therein two apertures i and 2" diametrically 0pposed andat different radial distances from the axis of the pinion; 2' indicatesa bell crank lever mounted on a pivot 2' with its inner end extending inparallelism to the pinion 2' and having its extremity cut away to leavetwo fingers 2' and 2' provided with int-urned ends arranged forengagement respectively with the perforations 71* and of the pinion 2'The outer end of the lever 2' extends upward, is provided with ahorizontal extremity divided to form two prongs 2' and 2' suitablyseparated and arranged in operative proximity to a stem 2' projectingfrom the escapement member 2' of the clock work. This construction as awhole is such that the portion of the lever in front of its pivot 2' maybe raised to depress finger i into engagement with the perforation i ofthe wheel to hold the motor mechanism against movement, the prong 2' atthe same time swinging in front of the stem i to prevent the escapementfrom operating; or the forward portion of the lever 2' may be depressedto raise the lower finger 2', into engagement with the perforation ofthe pinion, the prong 2' at the outer end of said lever moving tointercept the movement of the stem i of the escapement. hen neither ofthe finger ends i or 2' is in engagement with its perforation i or 2'that is to say when the wheel is traveling so that its unperforatedportion is passed between the fingers the upper end of the lever is insuch position that the stem 2' vibrates between its prongs 2' and 71 Thearmature i, normally held in outward position by a spring 2' is providedwith a lever arm 2' extending to and connected with the lever 2' infront of its pivot 2' and accordingly the train in its normal conditionis held as indicated in Fig. 6, that is to say with the lower finger 2'in engagement with the perforation If now the armature i be moved towardits magnet poles and held in such position, the finger d is removed fromits aperture 2' and the pinion starts in rotation, the finger i restingon the upper surface of the pinion, and the escapement stem playingbetween the prongs of the outer arm of the lever. Vhen now the pinion 2'completes a half revolution the finger 2' engages the aperture 2' andstops the pinion. The release of the armature from the poles, however,at any time after the pinion starts in motion restores con-, trol to thearmature spring, and the finger i either can not engage in its aperture,or, if already engaged, is removed therefrom, so that the pinioncompletes its revolution. It will then be seen that movement of thearmature in either direction under the influence of its magnet andspring actuates the contact controlling mechanism which in turn worksthe contact members.

Mounted upon the upper face of the mo tor are the two member Wheels 2'and i" of the master box, mounted for simultaneous rotation upon acommon stem, and so geared as to make two rotations to one of the pinionEach of the wheels is provided with a toothed portion, and an elevatedperipheral portion, the elevated portion of each being coextensive withand in position corresponding to the toothed portion of the other. Theupper wheel 2' has associated therewith contact devices comprising aspring pen 21 and its contact 22, and wheel 2'" has associated with itpen 24, contact 25 arranged in circuits to be described. The arrangementof the pens is such that contact is normally made by each with itscontact point, said contact being broken whenever a tooth or theelevated peripheral portion of the corresponding member wheel of thecontact controlling mechanism passes beneath the pen.

Referring now to the electrical circuits of our system, 10 indicates acentral battery located at a central station in conjunction with threesignal receiving instriunents 11, 12 and 13. The instrument 11 isarranged in the ground connection 1i splitting the central battery 10,while the instruments 12 and 18 are ar 'anged directly in a main circuiton the left and right sides respectively of battery 10.

To trace now the main circuit, from battery 10 extends a wire 15connected with the recording instrument 12 from whose other terminalextends wire 16 connected to one terminal of the box 17 which arrangedto be tripped by its float when the water level in tank A falls. Theother terminal of box 17 is connected to wire 18 extending to box 19associated wit-h the valve E as heretofore described. From box 19extends a wire 20 connected to the pen 21 associated with the upperwheel of the master box, heretofore described. From the pen 21 extends awire 23 connected to pen 2% of the lower wheel of the master box, whosecontacting contact 25 is connected by wire 26 with one terminal of theelectro magnet 2'. The opposite terminal of the electro magnet isconnected by wire 27 with the manually operable signal box 28, whoseopposite terminal connected by wire 29 with one terminal of thereceiving instrument 113, the other terminal whereof is connected bywire 30 with the righthand pole of the central battery 10. Thisconstitutes what. we will term the main circuit, which it will be notedincludes in series the central battery signal receiving instruments, afloat-operated tank alarm box, the variable pressure alarm box of theriser system, the pens of the lower wheel of the master box, the magnetof said master box, and the manual signal box.

A normally-closed, local shunt. or sub-circuit. is provided around theportion of the main circuit including the magnet 2', such shunt beingprovided by the contact member 2 associated with the pen 21 connected tothe main circuit, whence extends a wire 31 connected to the segment 72of the riser pressure gage H. The hand 71. of said go is connected towire 32 which is connectec in series along one side of all thethermostats T (if any) employed in the system, one thermostat only beingshown for simplicity. This wire 32 has its opposite extremity connectedto the hand I) of the pressure gage 5 associated with the pressure tank13. The segment- 5 of said gage is connected by wire 33 with the lowercontact of the series of the thermometer a, the coacting contact pointbeing connected by wire 34: with the armature of an electro-magnet s1whose winding is contained in a circuit to be described. 36 indicatesthe front contact point for the armature, connected by wire 37 with thewire 27 forming part of the main circuit. Thus the armature forms ineffect circuitbreaker, held forward in circuit closing position, againstthe tension of its spring, by a magnet in another circuit. It will nowbe seen that as long as the various devices in the sub-circuit describedare closed the said sub-circuit forms a closed circuit parallel to aportion of the main circuit including the electro magnet z' of themaster box. The magnet 2'- is so wound that when the said subeircuit iscloset the armature is not energized sutiiciently to attract thearmature, but should the said sub-circuit be broken and all of thecurrent from battery 10 sent through the magnet winding, the armature 2"of the master box is attracted and the box set in operation.

An independent local circuit is provided, preferably grounded at bothends, and extending as follows; from ground at g through a local battery38 to wire 39, through all the the "mostats T to the coil 40 of theelectro-magnet l1, whose opposite terminal is connected to wire 42extending to ground atg.

The thermostats T heretofore adverted to are not essential to our systemand may be omitted, but if employed, they are preferably of thecharacter shown in Fig. 9 consisting essentially of two pairs ofseparated circuit parts L and 6" arranged in opposing relations andnormally connected in closed circuit relation by two insulated contactblocks zf t supported on a vertically mov- Y able rod 6 in such a mannerthat, when the rod is released for vertical movement under the influenceof gravity, the blocks 25 -4 are removed from between the two coactingpairs of strips, to break circuit therethrough. Upon the said rod t alsomounted a cross bar i of conducting material so disposed that when therod falls uncer the intluencc of gravity as aforesaid, the bar i closescircuit between the pairs of contact strips and connects them inelectrical y crossed relation subsequent to the breaking of the circuitby the removal of the contact blocks 7i from contact therewith. Suitableheat releasable means. such as the body of fusible solder should beprovided for normally maintaining the rod t in elevated position, and aweight 25 is preferably attached to the rod to make its descendingaction, when released by the fusing of the solder, sharp and effective.Other forms of thermostat, however, may be used in conjunction with oursystem but should be adapted, when the heat conditions are such as toset the thermostat in operation. to throw a cross be tween the wires 32and 39. It will be apparent that the arrangement of the circuits anddevices is such. that if either of the said wires 32 or 39 be broken theintegrity of the sub-circuit including the shunt circuit wire 32 isdestroyed, as the breakage of the independent circuit wire 39 withdrawscurrent from the magnet 41 and permits the armature 85 of said magnet tobe moved by its spring away from its contact 36 thereby destroying theintegrity of the sub-circuit including the wire 32.

Associated with the gate valve G are normally open contact membersadapted when closed to bridge the thermostat wires 32, 39, and arrangedto be closed when said gate valve is moved to closed position. In theconstruction herein indicated a3 and 4st indicate a pair of normallyseparated contact springs connected respectively by wires $5 and 16 tothe wires 39 and 32 of the thermostat sub-circuit and the independenttl1er mostat circuit. A wheel G may be provided upon the stem of thevalve G and arranged to close the said springs when the valve is movedto closed position. The upper contacts of the thermometer a of the tankA are likewise arranged in a normally open path bridged between thesub-circuit and the independent circuit, one of the contact points beingconnected by wire 17 to the wire 31 of the sub-circuit and the otherbeing connected by wire 48 to the wire 39 of the independent circuit.

In operation the system will work as follows; Should the conditions ofthe water level in the tank A or of water flow in the riser C becomesuch as to trip either of the boxes 17 or 19, or should the manual box28 be set in operation, either of such boxes will operate upon the maincircuit in a portion not paralleled by the sub-circuit and send itspredetermined and characteristic signal to the central station. Shouldabnormal conditions of pressure, in the pressure tank or riser or theundue cooling of the water in tank A open the sub-circuit 32 througheither of the gages H or b or the thermometer a, all of the current fromthe central battery 10 will be transmitted through the magnet 2', of themaster box, thereby magnetizing the same to such a degree that itattracts its armature 2" against the tension of its spring and holds thesame closed until the sub-circuit is reestablished. Under theseconditions the master box, as heretofore described, will be actuated sothat its signal wheels make one round, but it will be apparent that asonly the lower pen and contact under such conditions receive currenttheupper pen-contact being in the sub-circuit-the signal transmitted willbe simply that of the lower wheel, that is to say, the number of the boxonce made followed by a long dash or rundown Should now conditions be sorestored that the subcireuit is again completed, the magnetism of theelectro magnet 2' will be so reduced that its armature z" is retractedby the spring, and the detent devices of the spring motor moved topermit another revolution of the number wheels. It will be noted,however, that now the circuit is complete through both the main circuitand the sub-circuit, so that both pairs of pens receive current whenclosed and the signal transmitted to the central station will be the boxnumber thrice repeated.

Under other conditionsfor instance when the heat of the water tank Areaches danger point, or a thermostat T fuses, or the valve G is closed,a short circuit is established between the wires 39 and 32. Now thecurrent from the local battery 38 is partially diverted from theindependent thermostat circuit and taking the cross wherever offered tothe sub-circuit, finds its way to the main circuit and thence to ground,through the ground connection splitting the central battery. By thisdiversion of a portion of the current the magnetfll is so weakened thatit is unable to hold the armature 35 against the tension of its springand, therefore, said armature 35 is retracted, breaking the subcircuitat the contact point 36. Consequently the effect of a cross is to breakthe sub-circuit, thereby causing a transmission to the central stationof the same signal as when any one of the devices included in thesubcircuit is operated to break the same. Should, however, the cause ofthe cross be removed and the cross broken, as for example by therestoration of the Valve G to its normal position or the cooling of thewater in the tank A, the current of local battery 38 will again traverseits normal, independent path, and energize the magnet 11 to such anextent that it again attracts its armature, arranged in the sub-circuit.Accordingly the detent devices of the master box are again actuated topermit the second round of said box, and current being supplied throughboth pairs of pens the full signal of the box number thrice repeatedwill be sent in. It will now be apparent that our system provided forthe sending of a signal to central station upon the occurrence of anyone of the usual troubles in the extinguisher system or in the alarmsystem itself, and for the transmission to central station of adifferent signal upon the restoration of the normal conditions of thecircuit by the removal of the causes of trouble. Should, however, a fireoccur within the protected area a distinctive signal will be transmittedto the central station. As soon as the heat conditions become excessiveone or more) of the sprinkler heads goes off and the pressure abovevalve D is momentarily relieved, but immediately restored as the valvelifts and the water flow begins. Accordingly the hand 72, of gage Hmakes a quick oscillation, falling below its normal range as thepressure is reduced, and so breaking contact with its segment it, andthen as the pressure is restored swinging back to normal position andmaking contact with its segment. By this operation the sub-circuit isbroken and reestablished so that the armature of the master box magnetis first attracted and then instantly released, thereby operating thedetent mechanism of the motor to permit two uninterrupted revolutions ofthe number wheels. The rapidity of movement of the gage hand it is suchthat the sub-circuit is closed before the number wheels begin totransmit their signals, and accordingly, both the main and sub-circuitsbeing clos both wheels send their characteristic signals and therecoroers at the central station receive the number or the master boxsix times repeated. Furthermore, the unbalancing of valve D admits waterto float valve chamber E, and trips box 19. Said box is preferably timedto act later than the master box, and a second signal characteristic ofsaid box 19 is received at the central station. Further, the pressure intank B is slowly reduced as the water is forced therefrom, and the handof the gage 7) flnally breaks contact with its segment, again breakingthe sub-circuit, and actuating the master box, which this time sendsonly usual trouble signal. It will thus be seen that three separatesignals are successively transmitted following the blowing of asprinkler head, and such a succession of signals, irrespective ofcharacter is construed to mean tire. The signal-sequence referred towill be sent only in the event a sprinkler head blows but not athermostat, or that the thermostats are left out of the system. It athermostat and a sprinkler head blow practically simultaneously then thefact that a permanent cross is effected between the subcircuit and theindependent local circuit, thereby breaking the sub-circuit asheretofore describedprevents the transmission of anything but asingletrouble signal from the master box. This, however is followed by thesignal from box 19, as heretofore described, and such sequential signalsare interpreted as a tire signal.

We do not herein claim jointly the arrangement of devices fortransmitting the successive signals, which is claimed in an applicationof John E. Shepherd filed April 25. 190 i, Serial No. 204,777.

lVhile we have herein described in detail one operative embodiment ofour invention, we desire it understood that many changes might be madein the particular application of our invention without departing fromthe spirit and scope thereof.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent, of the United States, is

1. In combination with a tire extinguisher system comprising a watertank, a float therein to indicate a drop in the water level, a riser, avariable pressure valve in the riser,

a float valve controlled by said variable pressure valve, and asprinkler connected with the riser, of a. signal system comprising acentral signal-receiving instrument, a signal transmitting instrumentassociated with the water tank float for actuation thereby, asdescribed, another signal transmitting instrument associated with thefloat valve for actuation thereby, a battery and circuit connectionsincluding in series the battery, the signal receiving instrui'nent andboth of said signal transmitting instruments.

2. In combination with a fire extinguisher system comprising a riser anda gate valve in said riser, an alarm system comprising a signalreceiving instrument, and a battery included in a. grounded maincircuit, a subcircuit parallel to a. portion of said main circuit, asignaling device in one of said circuits, an electro-magnet foractuating said device arranged in a portion of the main circuitparalleled by the sub-circuit, an independent grounded local circuit, abattery in said circuit, a circuit breaker in the subcircuit, amagnetcontrolling said circuit breaker in the independent circuit,contact springs associated with the gate valve arranged to be moved intocontact as the valve is closed and separated when the valve is open, andconnections from one of said. springs to the independent local circuitand from the other spring to the sub-circuit.

3. In a. tire protection signal system, a valve; a normally-woundtransmitter adapted to transmit diflerent, distinguishable sig nals, andcomprising two sets of circuit makeend-break-devices, and a motor foractuating said make-and-break devices; a main circuit including one ofsaid sets of make-andbreak devices; a signal responsive apparatusoperatively associated with said circuit; a supervisory circuit in shuntto said make-and-break devices of the main circuit, said shuntincludingthe remaining makeand-break devices; electro-magnetic means, controlledby the condition of the supervisory shunt, for controlling the motor;and means associated with the valve for control thereby adapted andarranged to condition the shunt to initiate one signal as the valve ismoved from normal position and to initiate another distinguishablesignal as the valve is returned to normal position.

4. In a fire protection signal system, a valve; a normally woundtransmitter adapted to transmit two distinguishable signals andcomprising two sets of signaling devices, and a motor for said signalingdevice; a main circuit including one set of signaling devices; a signalresponsive apparatus operatively associated with said circuit; asupervisory circuit in shunt to said set of signaling devices of themain circuit, and including the other set of signaling devices,electro-magnet-ic means controlling the motor, responsive to a break ofthe supervisory circuit to condition the transmitter to transmit onesignal and to the closing of said circuit to condition the transmitterto transmit another distinguishable signal, and means associated withthe valve for antomatic control by movement thereof, controlling thecondition of the supervisory shunt.

5. In a fire protection signal system, the combination with a valve of afire extinguisher system, of a signaling system comprising signalresponsive apparatus, means of current supply, circuit connections and asignal transmitter arranged and adapted to transmit one signal as thevalve is moved in one direction, and another distinguishable signal asthe valve is moved in the opposite direction.

6. The combination with a fire extinguisher system involving a valve, ofa signal system comprising a main circuit, a supervisory shuntthereto, anormally-wound signal transmitter operatively associated with one ofsaid circuits, a signal responsive device operatively associated withsaid main circuit, electro-magnetic means for controlling thetransmitter, associated with the supervisory circuit for control by itselectrical condition, and means operatively asso ciated with the valvefor breaking the supervisory shunt when the valve is moved inpredetermined manner. 7

7. The combination with a fire extinguisher system involving a valve, ofasignal system comprising a main circuit grounded at central station, asupervisory shunt thereto, a normally-wound signal transmitteroperatively associated with one of said circuits, a signal responsivedevice operatively associated with said main circuit, electromagneticmeans for controlling the transmitter, associated with the supervisorycircuit for control by its electrical condition, and means operativelyassociated with the valve for grounding the supervisory shunt when thevalve is moved in predetermined manner.

8. The combination with a fire extinguisher system involving a valve, ofa signal system comprising a main circuit, a supervisory shunt thereto,a normally-wound signal transmitter operatively associated with one ofsaid circuits, a signal responsive device operatively associated withsaid main circuit, electro-magnetic means for controlling thetransmitter, associated with the supervisory circuit for control by itselectrical condition, and means operatively associated with the valvefor grounding and breaking the supervisory shunt when the valve is movedin a predetermined manner.

9. The combination with a fire extinguisher system involving a valve, ofa signal system involving a normally-wound signal transmitter, adaptedto transmit two distinguishable signals, a signal responsive de vice,suitable circuits, and operative connections between the transmitter andthe valve whereby movement of the valve from open position occasions thetransmission of one signal and movement of the valve from closed towardopen position occasions the transmission of a different, distinguishablesignal.

10. I11 a system of fire extinguisher supervision, the combination witha fire extinguisher system involving a pressure tank, of a signal systeminvolving a signal responsive apparatus, a si 'nal transmittingapparatus capable of transmitting two distinguishable signals, anelectro-magnetic controlling device for said transmitter, suitablecircuit connections, and a pressure indicator associated with thepressure tank and provided with circuit controlling means operativelyrelated to the circuit of the transmitter-controlling apparatus, toinitiate the transmission of one signal upon a predetermined variationfrom normal pressure in the tank, and to initiate a distinguishablesignal upon the restoration of normal pressure.

11. In a system of fire extinguisher supervision, the combination with afire extinguisher system involving a pressure tank, of a signal systeminvolving a signal recording apparatus, a signal transmitter adapted totransmit distinguishable signals, suitable circuit connections, andmeans associated with the pressure tank for conditioning the transmitterto transmit one signal upon a predetermined variation of pressure fromnormal, and to transmit a distinguishable signal upon the restoration ofnormal pressure.

12. In a fire extinguisher supervision system, a fire extinguishersystem involving a gravity tank, a pressure tank, piping, and a valve,in combination with a main circuit extending from the protected area toa central station, a signal recording device at said central station,means for indicating by positive recordable electric signal variationsof conditions from normal in the gravity tank, pressure tank and valve,operatively associated with said main circuit to transmit therethroughto the signal recording apparatus, and means for supplying energy to theelectric devices.

13. In a fire extinguisher supervision system, a fire extinguishersystem involving a pressure tank, piping and a gate valve in saidpiping, in combination with a main circuit extending from the protectedarea to a central station, a signal recording device at said centralstation, means for indicating by definite recordable electric signal thevariation of conditions in. either the valve or pressure tank fromnormal and by distinguishable signal, the restoration of normalconditions in said device, said means being operatively associated withsaid main circuit to transmit therethrough to the central recordingapparatus, and means for supplying energy to the signal systenn 14C. Thecombination with a fire extinguisher system involving a gravity tank, apressure tank, piping, and a gate valve, of means for indicating waterlevel in the gravity tank, pressure in the pressure tank, temperature inone of said tanks, and movements of the valve, and a signal systemcomprising a central station apparatus involving a signal recorder,signal transmitting means associated with the indicating means toresaidfor actuation to transmit recordable signals upon the indication ofabnormal conditions in the devices supervised thereby, suitable circuitconnections between the nal recording and transmitting means andsuitable means for supplying electric energy thereto.

15 The combination with a fire extiir guisher system comprising a riserand a gate valve in said riser, of an alarm system comprising a signalreceiving instrument, a battery, a signal transmitting instrument, anelectromagnet for controlling said transmitting instrument, and acircuit including said devices, said electromagnet being responsive tovariations of current flow therethrough to actuate the signaltransmitting instrument, circuit coiniections arranged when varied toopcratively vary the current flow through the magnet, and means forvarying the last said connections associated with the gate valve forcontrol thereby.

16. The combination with a fire extinguisher system involving a gravitytank,

piping, and a gate valve; of means for indicating water level in thegravity tank, and movements of the valve; and a signal system,comprising a central station apparatus involving a signal recorder,signal transmitting means assoc ated with the indicating means aforesaidfor actuation to transmit recordable signals upon the indication ofabnormal conditions in the devices supervised thereby, suitable circuitconnections between the signal recording and transmitting means, andsuitable means for supplying electric energy tl'iereto.

17. The combination with a fire extinguisher system involving a sourceof fluid supply, piping, and a gate valve; of means for indicatingpredetermined abnormal conditions in the source of water supply, tlow otwater in the piping and movements of the gate valve, and a signal systemcomprising a central station apparatus involving a signal recorder,signal transmitting means associated with the indicating means aforesaidtor actuation to transmit recordable signals upon the indication of theconditions, in the devices supervised, to which said indicators respond,suitable circuit connections between the signal recording andtransmitting means, and suitable means for supplying electric energythereto.

in testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own, we aiiiX oursignatures in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES G. NOLEN. JOHN F. SHEPHERD.

W'itnesses:

G-nonon T. MAY, Jn, MARY F. ALLEN.

